§ Mr. MurphyTo ask the Minister for the Arts if he plans to increase funding to the Welsh Arts Council.
§ Mr. RentonThe Welsh Arts Council is funded from the Government's overall grant-in-aid to the Arts Council of Great Britain on the basis of a formula that has been in operation for many years. I share the view of the arts councils in London and Cardiff that Wales is well served by this arrangement. This year's allocation of £11 million is a 12.25 per cent. increase over last year—well in advance of inflation.